Wooden+v.+Board+of+Education+of+Jefferson+County

(by Jody Carter) Larry Wooden, Plaintiff-appellant, v. Board of Education of Jefferson County, Kentucky, Defendant-appellee United States Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit Argued February 8, 1991 Decided April 17, 1991 Background

Larry Wooden, filed suit at age fifty-four against the Board of Education of Jefferson County in 1988. He argued that he was discriminated against because of his age in pursuing a full time position as a teacher and that the hiring policies were geared towards younger teachers with more modern experience. The district court ruled in summary of the Board of Education finding that Wooden was not discriminated against because of his age and that the Board’s policy for hiring new teachers was free of prejudice as well. The United States Court of Appeals agreed to hear the case.

Decision

The Court of Appeals affirmed the decision made by the previous court. Although multiple reasons were given supporting their decision, the court alluded to the several teaching evaluations as well as the academic performance of Wooten that was rated “unfavorable” therefore; proving that the Board had sufficient reason to hire better, qualified applicants. As a result, the court ruled that age was not a discriminate in Wooten’s case in which, he failed to prove otherwise from the lack of evidence. Thus, the precedence set by this case is that poor performance academically and as a teacher can be valid reasons in not hiring someone.

Impact on Education

The outcome of this case suggests that hiring polices based on merit are legal and not discriminatory. Therefore, this case has the potential to have both positive and negative impacts on the education field. From a positive viewpoint, educators may strive to exceed in evaluations as well as in academics for job security and future employment. However, the outcome also places stress on educators with less than average evaluations or academic performance. Teachers and administrators should be aware that poor evaluations and below average academics can be used as a deciding factor in whether or not someone is chosen for employment. Plus, because hiring more qualified applicants is not discriminatory, educational professionals need to make every effort to ensure that they surpass qualifications needed to hold a particular position.

Applicable Quiz Question

Fill in the blank

The United States Court of Appeals ________ the decision made by the previous court that the Board of Education did not discriminate against Wooten in hiring more qualified teachers.

Kevin Johns MGED 3030 Court Case Review 8

Wooden v. Board of Education of Jefferson County

United States Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit

Argued February 8, 1991 Decided April 17, 1991

Background

Larry Wooden filed against the Board of Education of Jefferson County in 1988, because he felt that he had been discriminated against because of his age. He pursued a position as a teacher and was not hired although younger teachers were hired, and he felt that they were hired due to their age, because he felt as qualified as they to teach the position. The Board ensured him that this was not the case and they hired based on qualifications and not age, however Wooden felt differently. Wooden lost in the district court and took the case to the court of appeals.

Decision

The court of appeals after reviewing the case decided that the district court case was true and they affirmed the decision made by the district court. The appeals court stated they saw no evidence of Wooden being discriminated against for his age. Wooden claimed the ADEA was violated and did not get hired only because of his age. However, the court found that the Board had not hired him due to only not being as qualified as some of the other applicants.

Impact on Education

The outcome of this case shows that there are rights to those who are older in age and that they cannot be discriminated for such. However, this case also shows that that a person can get hired for being more qualified even if they do not have as much experience. Teacher’s should be aware that poor evaluations can lead to a teacher not being seen as qualified as another and that most positions are hired based on qualification and not age.

Wooden claimed that he was discriminated against because of his .______